Artist in action: Greg Polisseni to demonstrate his unique style at St. Bonaventure's Quick Center on March 13

Feb 27, 2014 | ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — Rochester artist and St. Bonaventure University graduate Greg Polisseni, whose work is the subject of an exhibition at the university’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, will give a demonstration of his unique style of painting at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, in the Quick Center’s third-floor Loft.

From 4 to 6 p.m., visitors are welcome to meet the artist and view his exhibition, “Breaking Free,” which is on view at the Quick Center’s Paul W. Beltz Gallery through May.

Polisseni, a 1994 graduate of St. Bonaventure, says his art is an expression of his roller coaster journey through life, one that saw him overcome the tragic death of his sister in a car accident when he was 13, and a battle with alcohol addiction that almost killed him.

Art became an outlet for his emotions, but he would decline his acceptance to The Art Institute of California to study fine art and graphic design, choosing instead to study business. His parents had helped build Rochester’s Paychex, Inc. into a billion-dollar company, and pursuing a business career seemed something he was supposed to do, said Polisseni.

It resulted in “internal friction” that would take years to resolve, he said.

His struggles came to a head in 2012 when he relapsed in his battle against alcoholism and landed in a hospital for treatment of acute liver failure. It was then, he said, that he decided to “take control of my life.” That same year, he set up a studio in his home in the Rochester suburb of Henrietta to focus on his art, and returned to school to obtain a graduate degree in addictions counseling.

Polisseni says he has found “inner peace,” and his art, described as “beautiful, passion-filled abstracts,” reveal that calm in the midst of chaos. His art has been featured in numerous galleries, magazines and public displays.

Polisseni has been an integral part of various causes through upstate New York as part of his family’s foundation, The Polisseni Foundation, and he continues to give back. He has created a limited edition print series titled “Stars and Stripes” that benefits Warrior Salute, a program that assists veterans coping with post traumatic stress disorder and/or traumatic brain injury.

Polisseni also plans to launch a fashion line this year named Artistix, which will combine his art and philanthropic interests.

The Quick Center is open to the public at no charge year round. Regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit The Quick Arts Center at www.sbu.edu/quickcenter.
About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. We are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition. Our students are becoming extraordinary.